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Transitioning from corporate to become an entrepreneur is more complicated than I thought

I transitioned from a fulfilling corporate job to pursue a business aligned with my passion. However, the venture was navigating month to month without a clear structure. Although I had some plans and growth aspirations, I lacked a well-defined system or strategy. The business seemed to operate in isolated segments, lacking a cohesive approach.

I found myself engaged in a mix of sales management, marketing, and systems work, but there was a lack of seamless integration among these components. The business operations weren't harmoniously aligned. Additionally, it had taken on the character of a lifestyle business. At that point, I needed to make a deliberate decision – one focused on the business itself and another aligning with my personal goals. It prompted me to weigh the appeal of a lifestyle business against other considerations.

The lack of processes and support system overwhelmed me

Upon leaving my corporate position, I delved into business consulting for other enterprises, where my role involved hands-on execution of tasks. Reflecting on my corporate experience within a billion-dollar business, with well-established systems and a harmonious workforce, I recognized the stark contrast when embarking on entrepreneurship and starting a business from scratch.

In the entrepreneurial journey, the absence of familiar backdrops and support systems was evident. Unlike the corporate setting with thousands of team members working toward a common goal, there was no one in the nearby cubicle or office to discuss ideas or align strategies for the year. This gap became apparent while operating a lifestyle business. Despite having the know-how, creating essential processes and systems posed a challenge, as packaging everything cohesively wasn't within my skill set at the time.

I brought a lot of my toxic corporate leadership style to becoming an entrepreneur

Early in my career, I was fortunate to encounter significant leadership opportunities at a young age, rubbing shoulders with individuals who later became influential leaders. During my late teens and early twenties, I embraced a relentless work ethic, working 60, 70, even 80 hours a week. Juggling two full-time jobs was extraordinary but not arduous.

This experience provided unparalleled learnings that couldn't be replicated in a conventional 25-40 hour work week. The acquired skills propelled me to excel, offering insights into business from diverse perspectives and leadership mindsets. However, the environment was marked by physical and mental strain, with calls at 2:00 AM reflecting the prevalent culture of the early 2000s.

This culture demanded strict adherence to instructions, focusing on learning without room for mistakes. The era was characterized by a relentless push for outcomes, a profit-centric approach, and an unwavering commitment to the bottom line.

I wanted to transform my leadership style

I was determined to spare others from the hardships I had experienced. My goal was to cultivate success and provide education to my team, emphasizing that life is a journey. I believed in steering away from the notion that a ten-year career had to be condensed into three years' worth of grueling hours. Instead, I advocated for a more organic and spread-out approach to learning through the course of the journey.

This shift marked the evolution of my leadership style in later years. It became crucial to me not only to distance myself from the treatment I had endured but also to set my team up for success. Understanding their individual personalities and preferences, both in the professional and personal spheres, became a focal point in transforming the dynamics during that period.

Now, I give importance to my team’s individual goals and aspirations

My leadership style has undergone a significant shift, evolving into a softer approach compared to my earlier harsh and critical stance. This transformation involves considering not only day-to-day work but also acknowledging life's impact on individuals. As the leader of our current team, my focus is on setting up team members for their success.

In building and shaping the team, we recognize individuals' dedication to our shared mission and their personal goals. We leverage this understanding, actively aligning with team members' objectives through special projects that capitalize on their strengths, benefiting both personal aspirations and our business.

This strategic collaboration fosters an exceptional work ethic and contributes to a profound sense of happiness in both professional and personal lives. The organic growth of our culture is a direct result of the softer leadership approach we strive to embody.

Trent provided me the structured approach that I needed

Recognizing the need for guidance, I sought someone who shared my mindset and understood larger business dynamics, someone like Trent. What I discovered, and Trent may relate, is that while I knew what needed to be done, I needed a structured approach. I required someone to lay out the rungs on the ladder, allowing me to methodically pursue each step.

Trent's expertise in navigating the early stages of business, transitioning from small to medium scale, and having a strategic perspective on those seemingly distant three to five-year goals has been invaluable. It's the systems and processes implemented today that will shape the future of our business. Trent's insights into establishing critical paths and his skill set in orchestrating these elements have proven crucial to me over the last seven months.

Trent not only gave value to our business but to life as well

Trent’s impact has been transformative not just in our work environment but also in our overall approach to life. Trent’s unique set of skills and articulate communication style is truly exceptional. While I could summarize our business's progress in a single sentence, I recognize that if I were seeking a coach, a brief statement might not convey the depth of our journey.

What I want to emphasize is the incremental improvement we experience day by day, week by week. There's no magical solution propelling us to instant success; instead, it's a continuous process of doing the right things at the right time. Trent's guidance plays a crucial role in orchestrating these steps and assembling the pieces of the puzzle, enabling us not only to do the work but to achieve the desired results.

Business Coaching propelled our business to greater heights

Our revenue from last year has been surpassed in the mere six months since we started working with Trent. From day one, I had a strong belief that this would happen, and it's a testament to the perfect fit of Trent's personality. Trent's exceptional can-do attitude and problem-solving skills are truly outstanding, among the best out there.

What sets Trent's problem-solving apart is not just the immediate resolution of challenges, but the meticulous approach with the right steps in the process. It's not about solving problems for today's sake; it's about making us better in the long run. This aligns perfectly with Trent's visionary approach and long lens, enabling us to maintain a clear perspective and continue to thrive.

I never doubted Trent’s advice and approach

In my view, business coaching parallels various life pursuits. Regardless of one's achievements in business or sports, there's a limit to what can be accomplished alone. Drawing a comparison to athletes who consistently have coaches, it's striking how we often underestimate the value of this resource in the business realm.

Having someone like Trent to lean on and provide exceptional advice is truly priceless. His understanding of the pivotal moments that business owners face, be it during tax season, holiday rushes, or moments requiring a breather, is commendable. A reliable guide makes a significant difference in these situations.

I consider this aspect exceptionally crucial, and Trent's guidance has consistently proven spot-on throughout our journey. I have never doubted the advice, articulation, or approach to the challenges we encounter.

The methodical and systematic nature of Trent's guidance instills confidence. It's not just logical but also practical common sense, forming 99% of the equation. This approachability is what, in my opinion, makes his guidance highly effective in steering business owners in the right direction

Sincerely,
David Zerna
Timar Buyers Agency